Chairman’s MessageInternational order that continued for 80 years after the end of WWII is collapsing
Building a sustainable organization amid increasing uncertainty

The world is undergoing drastic transformation, and the international social order that was built up over 80 years since the end of World War II is collapsing. In Japan, politics is becoming increasingly unstable, the population decline is accelerating, and disasters associated with climate change are becoming increasingly frequent, creating a degree of uncertainty in the social environment not previously seen. One could almost say that the “Age of being unable to foresee what will happen tomorrow” has arrived.

In Japan, various opinion surveys show that far fewer young people in Japan believe that their country’s future “Will get better” compared with those in other countries, and concerns that young people are tending to become insular are growing. If the young people who represent the next generation do not have dreams, we cannot hope for social development and stability.

Nevertheless, when The Nippon Foundation asked young people about which generation is responsible for addressing the increasingly serious problem of global warming in our recent Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, more than half – 53% – replied “Today’s young people (my own generation).” I believe this shows that even if their outlook for the future is not bright, young people are determined to face difficulties directly and with a sense of responsibility.

Another recent development is the appearance of young entrepreneurs who have a desire to take up the challenge of contributing to society.

With public finances weakening, it may become difficult to expect the government to engage in bold policy measures. In that case, private-sector organizations like The Nippon Foundation can come up with a wide range of ideas, so that the national and local governments and private-sector companies can carry out those that they believe will be effective.  This is necessary to revitalize society, and I believe The Nippon Foundation’s role will become even greater.

 The Nippon Foundation needs to be a sustainable organization. To achieve this, we need to take an approach of “Not creating” bad things and “Not leaving them behind for future generations.” To ensure that, I want us to keep our antennae constantly and broadly extended as an organization that quickly perceives and responds to changes in society.